Meet Mona Foundation's Portland Chapter

Champions of Mona's mission and our ambassadors within the larger philanthropic and humanitarian community.

Mona Foundation Chapters are Mona’s advocates and champion our goals in their local regions. Every chapter represents Mona to organizations and businesses in their area, engages the youth in philanthropy at the local level, and helps build our leadership and financial resources by hosting events or other activities in Portland, Los Angeles and San Diego.

Mona Foundation starts a chapter where there is a core of Mona supporters who would like to become more intimately involved with the work of the Foundation and learn about sustainable social and economic development. Portland Chapter uses the events they host to share the principles that guide Mona and encourage youth and children to become more involved in service to the community. Members include Nikki Meshkin, Neda Soofi, Janet Zabeti, and Tanya Zabeti. Interested to join the Portland Chapter? Email Janet Zabeti.

Tanya Zabeti

Tanya has a Juris Doctor from McGeorge School of Law and has joined in the initiatives of Mona with the desire to be a part of meaningful change towards universal education and gender equality.

Her love of traveling has allowed her to experience many cultures that have provided perspective and focus in her volunteering efforts.

“I’m excited about the social and economic change this organization will undoubtedly continue to ignite globally in making education a more easily attainable right.

Education provides opportunities. It lays the foundation upon which we build our lives and, in essence, learn to interact with one another. By focusing initiatives on educating women and children in countries where education is scarce, we are helping to provide opportunities that will be a catalyst in alleviating poverty and injustice. I believe in Mona.”

"By focusing initiatives on educating women and children in countries where education is scarce, we are….alleviating poverty and injustice. I believe in Mona."

Neda Soofi

Neda Soofi, attorney is a former shareholder of Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, where her practice was focused in the areas of business, tax & estate planning, and she specialized in employee benefits and ERISA. She also specialized in providing advice regarding the design, evaluation and management of retirement, compensation and benefit plans, and other HR-related programs. In addition, Neda has expertise in mergers and acquisitions with regard to integrating employee and benefit plans and resolving employee-related issues. During her time as an attorney, she has developed and evaluated qualified and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, incentive pay and stock option agreements. Neda is also certified in global benefit management.

Neda has a master’s degree in international law. In addition, she has five years of legal experience overseas in banking laws, commercial contracts, real estate and commercial transactions, as well as legal and financial advising. She is a native reader, speaker and writer of Farsi, and has satisfactory comprehension of Arabic.

"Education is core to the advancement of women, and I am very happy to support a non-profit that advocates for both education and gender equality."

Janet Zabeti

Janet has extensive experience in banking and investment. She started her banking career in retail banking at Bank of America in Southern California in 1981 and worked in variety of different capacities including as Business Development Officer involved with marketing plans to achieve revenue goals. In 1993, she moved to Portland, Oregon with her family and continued her career in Wells Fargo bank. She worked in Wells Fargo Private Client Services and Wealth Management as a VP Senior Financial Consultant / Relationship Manager. There, she held a Securities License as well as an Insurance License and worked with high net worth clients helping them with their investment planning, setting their financial goals and managing their investments. Janet retired in 2011 and since then has focused on her philanthropic activities . In her own words, “it is an absolute pleasure and honor to be part of this organization and to be working towards making a difference in children’s lives.”

"It is an absolute pleasure and honor to be working with Mona towards making a difference in the lives of children."

Nikki Meshkin

Nikki Meshkin i has been a Technical Advisor and Business Operations Manager at Intel Corporation Technology & Manufacturing Group for 25 years with responsibilities in strategic planning, marketing and business operations. She previously held senior positions at Merrill Lynch and other financial institutions. Nikki currently serves on the Andisheh Center Board of Directors, celebrating and promoting Iranian culture, heritage, and the arts. She is also engaged in a global process of learning with the aim of enhancing the capacity of individuals and communities to serve humanity. Nikki holds an M.B.A. and B.A. in Finance & Management and lives in Portland, Oregon with her family.

In Nikki’s own words, “…to educate girls is to reduce poverty”…What is close to my heart is Mona’s focus on the projects that provide girls a real chance at a better life for themselves, their families and their communities.

"What is close to my heart is Mona’s focus on the projects that provide girls a real chance at a better life…"